Monkey Menace

Different regions,

different tensions.

In my in-laws’ place,

in rural India,

there’s monkey menace.

Human encroachment expanding,

jungles are shrinking.

Hungry monkey troops

turn their gaze,

to the nearby village,

where they have much,

to forage.

They come in flocks,

with babies in tow,

they munch on,

anything they find—

mango to guava,

jackfruit to papaya

neem to cucumber,

coconut slices to crackers.

They destroy water tanks,

break roof clay tiles,

and show angry faces,

if provoked.

They continue rampage,

without any guilt,

as if it's their right,

people live in conflict.

We can't expect to

live is peace,

ruining other's houses,

stealing their resources.

Any form of crime,

comes back to punish

in their own time.

Note: Can we learn to respect the rights of other creatures and avoid encroaching on their habitats and resources?